John Joseph Paul

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John Joseph Paul (August 17, 1918March 5, 2006) was a Roman Catholic bishop.

Bishop Paul was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He graduated from Aquinas High School in 1935. In 1939, he graduated from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. John Joseph Paul was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood on January 24, 1943, by Auxiliary Bishop William Richard Griffin at St. Rose of Viterbo Convent which is the mother house of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in La Crosse. While stationed in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Father Paul help established Regis High School.

Styles of
John Joseph Paul
Reference style The Most Reverend
Spoken style Your Excellency
Religious style Your Excellency
Posthumous style not applicable


In 1955, Father Paul became rector of Holy Cross Seminary in La Crosse. On October 7, 1956, Pope Pius XII created Father Paul a monsignor. In 1956, he received a masters in education degree from Marquette University. In 1966, Monsignor Paul became rector of the Cathedral of St. Joseph the Workman in La Crosse. John Joseph Paul was appointed auxiliary bishop for the Diocese of La Crosse on May 17, 1977 and was ordained a bishop on August 4, 1977.

On October 14, 1983 Bishop Paul became Diocesan Bishop succeeding Bishop Frederick William Freking. On December 5, 1983, Bishop Paul was installed as Bishop of the Diocese of La Crosse. In 1986, Bishop Paul convened the fourth diocesan synod because of the revised Canon Law of 1983; in 1987, the decrees of the fourth diocesan synod were published as: The Bishop With His People.[1] In 1992, Bishop Paul founded the Aquinas Middle School.

On December 10, 1994, Bishop Paul retired and was succeeded by Bishop Raymond Leo Burke. Bishop Paul died at Franciscan Skemp Medical Center in La Crosse, Wisconsin at the age of 87.[2]

[edit] References

  1. ^ 'The Bishop With His People:Fourth Synod of the Diocese of La Crosse: Celebrated April 28-May 1, 1986, Holy Cross Diocesan Center, La Crosse, The La Crosse, Wisconsin Public Library Archives vault
  2. ^ http://www.dioceseoflacrosse.com/files/bppaulobitfuneral.pdf

[edit] Sources

  • Landers, Ann, 'A Life In Letters: Ann Landers' letters to her only child', edited by Margo Howard, Warner Brothers, New York, 2003. Note: Ann Landers refer to Bishop Paul, when both of them were living in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

[edit] External links

Preceded by
Frederick William Freking
Bishop of La Crosse
1983–1994
Succeeded by
Raymond Leo Burke
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